Registering a boat in France: administrative formalities and practical advice
Have you just purchased a pleasure boat or are you considering buying one in the near future?
Compulsory in most cases, the registration of a pleasure vessel is an essential administrative formality, to be carried out as early as possible.
When, why and how to register a boat? Our team answers your questions.
What is boat registration?
Just like every land vehicle, boats and PWC (personal watercraft such as jet skis, sea scooters, etc.) must be registered, whether new or second-hand, if they meet certain criteria.
At sea or on the inland waterway network (including canals, rivers and lakes), in France or internationally... the formalities and obligations differ. They depend in particular on your vessel's technical characteristics, and on the use you make of it!
Why register a pleasure boat?
The registration is recorded in a national register so as to allow the French administration or other States (if you sail in international waters or in the territorial waters of another country) to know the identity of the registered owner in the event of an accident, rescue or assistance.
As the unique identifier is only issued under certain conditions, it also makes it possible to ensure that the pleasure vessel is indeed compliant with the safety standards in force and that its owner is in good standing with the administration - boating licence, pleasure navigation title (carte de circulation and/or acte de francisation granting the right to fly the French flag), payment of the TAEMUP (formerly DAFN or Annual Registration and Navigation Duty)...
Boat registration at sea and in inland waters
Maritime navigation
It is managed by the DDTM (Departmental Directorate for Territories and the Sea). It may be subject to taxes and offers the possibility of sailing not only in maritime territorial waters but also in inland waterways.
In the maritime zone, compulsory registration concerns craft with a length of at least 2.5 metres or fitted with an engine with a power of 4.5 kW or more.
Inland navigation
Registering pleasure boats for inland waters navigation does not involve any tax. The registration is only valid for this zone and is carried out with the local DDT (Departmental Directorate for Territories).
Registration is compulsory whatever the type of inland pleasure craft. The formalities are simplified for boats with a length of less than 20 metres and/or with a lightship displacement not exceeding 10 m3, but they become more complex once the lightship displacement exceeds 100 m3 or if the boat's length exceeds 20 metres.
When to apply for boat registration?
For a new boat
The dealer or manufacturer may provisionally register the boat, thus allowing the buyer to sail for one month while undertaking the registration formalities. If this solution is not offered to you, you must apply as soon as possible for the first registration of a pleasure vessel in order to be able to sail. This is compulsory before the boat is launched.
For a second-hand purchase: the change of registration
In the event of a sale, there is a change of ownership. The new owner must apply for a new registration card (or a new acte de francisation), providing the duly signed bill of sale.
For foreign boats arriving in France
A first registration application must also be made in the event of import. You will need to make sure you first obtain the deregistration certificate from the previous flag. This application must be sent to the Maritime Affairs office or to the Customs Service, depending on the boat's characteristics.
Generally speaking, in the event of a change
Change of the owner's address, replacement of the engine with one of a different power, etc. Any change must be brought to the attention of the Administration.
→ The owner keeps their navigation title as it is, with a validity limit of 10 years for cartes de circulation and for an indefinite period for actes de francisation.
How to register your boat?
To register your new or second-hand pleasure boat and sail in inland waters or at sea, the relevant administration changes - as does the software that issues cartes de circulation.
While for maritime zones the operation is carried out on the PUMA software (Portail Unique Maritime), it is the SIMBA Boat Registration System that manages inland waters.
Are you a boating professional or a private individual, and do you want to have your boat registered? Our specialised advisers take charge of your boat registration application file from A to Z.
We handle the entire administrative side, allowing you to focus solely on the essentials. If in doubt about filling in the form corresponding to your application, do not hesitate to contact us!
How to receive your new registration?
The registration-issuing software for pleasure boating, SIMBA (inland waters) and PUMA (maritime zone), sends you your registration document by e-mail as soon as it is ready. All you have to do is print it!
The acte de francisation, for its part, is received by post within the time frame indicated at the time of application.
Flag deregistration for registration
As part of your registration formalities, flag deregistration may be compulsory. This is the case in particular in the following situations:
- Before any new application for a new flag (e.g. when you apply for an acte de francisation to fly the French flag if the boat is foreign, the deregistration certificate must have been obtained for the former flag
- Before any application for a change of zone to move from the maritime zone to the inland zone, as the registration will be different.
- If you wish to export or sell your boat (or jet-ski) outside France.
Registration and the boat's navigation title
Similar to the registration document of a land vehicle, a boat's registration card has been called by different names:
- Acte de francisation (old and new format)
- Carte de circulation
- Pleasure vessel registration certificate (current title)
The document contains several pieces of information:
- the boat's name (or devise)
- the boat's dimensions, with hull length and width
- the type of boat: sailing boat, motor boat, yacht, catamaran, etc.
- the year, place and method of construction
- the type and power of the engine if the boat is fitted with one
- the surname, first names and address of the owner
- the place of registration
- the registration number appearing in the national register.
Displaying the registration
The registration number (or inscription number) must be visible inside the cockpit and on the boat's hull in a visible manner - either painted directly or on a plate. The number followed by the letter F is marked on both sides of the vessel, while the boat's name is carried on its stern.
Registration lettering: our guide
FAQ: your frequently asked questions
Can I sail before receiving my registration?
Yes, depending on your flag, it is possible to sail with a provisional registration while waiting to receive the document.
What to do if the title is lost?
If you lose your papers, you should make a declaration of loss and request a duplicate from the issuing body.
How is a boat's registration number chosen?
In France, boat registration for the maritime zone (coastal or offshore navigation zone) consists of 8 characters. The first two are letters corresponding to the registration district and the next six are a letter followed by five digits, as stipulated in the Order of 21 October 2016 on the registration of ships and other vessels at sea.
For a Personal Watercraft (PWC), what registration procedure?
A PWC is a craft measuring less than 4 metres in hull length and propelled by a combustion engine.
Depending on their actual engine power, jet skis are also subject to various procedures, at the very least that of applying for a carte de circulation. When it reaches or exceeds 90 kilowatts, the PWC must also be registered under the French flag (francisé) and may be subject to payment of the TAEMUP (formerly DAFN).
